Father Patrick Martin, who lost his sight and his ability to walk at age 9, is preaching a parish mission, “God’s Love in our Suffering Lives,” during all weekend masses April 22 and 23 and during selected masses April 24 and 25 at All Saints Parish, Haverhill.
Martin, from Limestone, Maine, and currently based in San Antonio. Texas, was diagnosed with meningitis at 9 years old, resulting in him losing his sight and his ability to walk. With support at home—he is the 17th of 22 children, he learned to walk again but did not regain his vision.
“Blindness has turned out to be his greatest gift.” His ministry has grown from his blindness. While in the eighth grade, he said, “maybe – just maybe with the blindness I can serve God’s people. Martin has preached at more than 1,300 parishes worldwide and is the author of five books with a sixth due out this year.
Besides speaking at all weekend masses, Martin will also preside over the 4 p.m. mass Saturday, with a homily, “God’s Love.” He will be present Monday and Tuesday for confessions between 9 and 11 a.m. and 6 to 6:50 p.m. and deliver mass each night at 7 p.m.
thank you father martin.